Recognition of Animal ‘Sentience’ must continue post Brexit

On Wednesday night, MPs narrowly voted against enshrining the recognition of animals as sentient beings in British law after Brexit. The vote on the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill was lost by a mere 18 votes.

This follows the failure of the Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, to act on a promise to protect the legal recognition of sentience. And it takes the UK another step closer to losing this vital cornerstone of animal welfare law. The UK successfully fought for animals to be recognised as sentient beings in the EU, but is now on the verge of dumping this obligation.

The CIWF petition to Michael Gove, calling for him to recognise animals as sentient beings post-Brexit, has been signed by over 99,000 people. If you haven’t already done so, please help us get over 100,000 signatures today by signing and sharing today.